'We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But if that drop was not in the ocean, I think the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.' ~Teresa of Calcutta
"Come, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.
Incline your ear, and come to me;
hear, that your soul may live;
and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David.
~Isaiah 55:1-3
I think this is just about one of the coolest verses in the Bible...I can't even explain it...I just dig it.
and for the record, I definitely need to get better at 'listening diligently' to God!
Wow "Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?" Man that hit me hard. Why do I put effort into things that are futile? Why do I seek the praises of men? These things do not satisfy.
That's right! down here in the southern hemisphere we are enjoying a glorious spring. Everywhere I look I see flowers, trees greening up, baby birds in the nest and little joeys peeking from their mamas' pouches. Little lambs running around their mothers, and our own little lamb waking me up with a song! haha
This time of year always puts me in a mind for Revelation 21:5
He who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I make all things new!'
What a glorious statement! In case we aren't sure that God can back that up, He shows us every year! Each year we are treated to a powerful display of God's ability to breathe life back into world. Trees that seem dead sprout new leaves. Dormant roots produce a rainbow of wild flowers. All sorts of animals awake from hibernation to start their lives anew.
Over and over again, God teaches man that He is the source of life. Over and over, He tells us the story of His Son coming to life again. Whether it is the bear coming out of the 'tomb' of hibernation, or the flower blossoming from dormant seed, God makes all things new! Be sure you are sharing this glorious message with those around you, particularly, your kids.
God reminds us of this, because He promises a new life for each of us as well! The above verse was crucial to my first stuttering steps as a child of God. I was so full of guilt and shame about the life that I had led. Not only for the damage I had done to myself, but more so for the role I had played in leading others in a deadly path. Even as I thanked God for His forgiveness, I wasn't sure of it. The only thing I was sure of was that I would be forever haunted by my past.
Then a friend shared Rev. 21:5 with me, and said, 'Don't worry Eddie! God can make you new again! He can make everything new.' From that day on, whenever I found myself reliving my past and beating myself for what I had done, I would remember that God had taken all that away. It's not that I pretend the past didn't happen, but God has freed me from my shame.
So brothers and sisters, do not burden yourselves with mistakes from the past. Learn from them, grow through them, and let our God make you new again!
Amen! That is one of the most wonderful things I love about our Father....He forgives us 100%. No holding things for years upon end ( as we do to ourselves sometimes ) He forgives, makes us new, and will never fail in doing so. Love that Ed! Thanks for the thoughts...
Terrorists have taken Matilda and are currently holding her for a ransom of 1,000,000 cuddles! They have given us a photo to prove that they have her:
Ok, actually, it's just 'fly season' here in Perth. For about a month every spring these little flies come out. They are looking for moisture, so they come to sweaty people and will try to crawl into your eyes, nose, or mouth. Jacque is much like my parents and doesn't particularly care for them. I actually don't think they are too bad this year.
Jacque was gracious enough to share her flynet with Matilda.
And here is a sweet pic of the baby and her beautiful eyes!
She is precious!!! I've heard about the flies - I don't know if I could handle it! Seems like you haven't had as many posts since Matilda came along! Been busy or something!?! :)
I typically avoid politics. I think one of the reasons is that most of the time when Christians talk politics they don’t sound very much like Christ. I am often amazed at the hatred, bitterness, and cynicism I hear from people who claim to believe that ‘this world is not our home’. But I digress….
Why do I think Obama is an opportunity?
I would ask you to set your biases and politics aside for a moment, and think clearly. To help you in this, let me be clear. Do I agree with his politics on abortion and homosexuality? no. I’m not endorsing his politics, so, please, relax.
I believe that Obama represents an opportunity to share the good news of Christ. You see, to many people who are not particularly religious, Obama represents change. He represents a positive step for this country. Consider his speech tonight. Obama called people to set aside party politics and get to work on fixing our country. He encouraged a generation of young people to take up service in their community and to think beyond themselves. These are good positive messages that are getting through to a huge segment of the population wholly disenfranchised by George Bush and status quo politics.
Now here is your choice:
A. You can be the classic right wing conservative. You can complain to anyone who will listen that our country is going straight down the drain. You can fill the air around you with negativity and bitterness whenever anyone brings up Obama. You can convince any of these people that are inspired by Barack that you are a typically close minded Republican who is not worth listening to. You can choose to act this way.
B. Or, you can choose to see this situation for the great opportunity that it is. You can talk to those inspired by Obama about how you share his vision of community and putting others first. You can share with them Christ’s message of salvation brought about by His humble service to mankind. Perhaps by demonstrating that you too long for better times for our country, you can impact others for good. You can choose to act this way.
Does this mean you go out and buy a Pro-Choice shirt and put a Gay Flag on your car? of course not. It means that you act like a Christian. You become all things to all people with the goal firmly in mind; to win them to Christ. Paul went to Athens and found common ground with the people there as a way to begin a conversation about Christ. You can choose to act like that too.
God’s church started and spread beneath a government infinitely more opposed to Christian ideals than anything Obama and a Democrat controlled Congress could ever be. Relax about the politics and look for opportunities to spread the gospel. Mr. Obama offers you a chance to engage the record number of people who have been inspired to action and awareness by his campaign.
You have a choice and an opportunity. It’s up to you.
This is so true. I JUST had a discussion with my supervisor, who has had some run-ins with Christians who have displayed such hatred to Obama and is one of the many reasons why she believes most Christians are hypocrites and "wacko," as she said. Although it is a good opening for discussion, it is unfortunate that we have to debunk all of those things that "Christians" are saying to change the person's perspective on Christianity.
Good points. I started to write more than just this a few times. But had trouble saying anything positive, so I figured my best method is to just not say much about it.
What you said above(nitney320- I'm terrible with computers and I don't know how to highlight!) is so sad. It is hard to believe that some Christians don't know how to show love to their fellow man. Just so sad...
Excellent thoughts. I'm also excited about the historical nature of this presidency. It will truly be unlike any before or after it. He has the chance to be a positive force for change, not just in this country, but in people's homes. I'm really looking forward to what happens next. :)
Re: flyonthewall's comments- I find it mildly humorous that you presume to know the reason that this record turn out voted for Obama. If there is one thing that we can learn from Christ's life, it's that he treated each person as an individual and gave people a chance to prove themselves. Please, let's not be guilty of pre-judging. As to your second point, if 'teaching the truth in love' from a humble heart ever becomes defined as 'hate speech' then, of course, Christians must follow their conscience. Unfortunately, I find that some Christians preach the truth out of bitterness and anger, and then when they are rejected, say,'See! people don't want to hear the truth!' Of course, there will always be people who aren't interested in God's truth, but let's not give them an excuse to ignore with our wrong actions. Thanks for reading and God bless you!
Eddie, these are great thoughts...in fact, Sam is sharing them with everyone she's talked to about the election. But I also wanted to thank you for reminding me that I should go ahead and take back that Pro-Choice t-shirt and take down my Gay Flag that I put up today. Thanks, Ed!
we would love to one day...when we were first married, we looked into going to live in Aachen, Germany so I could go to school there, but it didn't work out.
I love these thoughts. As disappointed as I was when McCain lost, I have found more opportunities to talk to my boys and have really begun to see what can come out of this. First, we act like abortion isn't already legal. It's unlikely that the problem will become worse now. Republicans may be against it, but they haven't ended it. And secondly, our states are in control of a lot of the gay marriage proposals and BOTH FL and CA defeated these amendments. I'm so thankful to God for that. We do need to focus on what we can do for the good and stop talking about how bad the country is going to get. When I hear people complaining and fearful, I begin to wonder if all of our trust wasn't placed in the president. I'm trusting God.
I just realized I forgot to respond when I read this last night. Fantastic thoughts! I posted it in a note on facebook, giving you and the simplelifeinchrist.com due credit, and its already generated several responses. Keep on challenging us. Thanks!
Totally off topic. I'm watching a webcast of the Sweet Adeline International competition (women barbershoppers) from Honolulu. The Perth Harmony Chorus just went on. Thinking of you guys!
Corey and I had some great talks on the way to Knoxville around this. Does it really matter who is in office? ( From a guy who DIgS some politicin' )God will work with whomever is there.....IM just glad he has decided to give us a "say" in the process. A lot of poeple died in Iraq this past year to vote....haven't heard of any deaths due to voting in th US. How blessed are we. Great points bro.....although I do think Consevatives have caught a bad wrap( some deserved ) as those who are closed minded who will not listen/bull headed. Really weird when you think about it....DEMS/REP. Wierd "group" names. RAD/KNARLY would be much better. "I beloong to the RAD party". Were either of the choices for PRES trying to put legislation through to outlaw drunkeness? Kinda random but.... Just trying to say we can't win ANYONE to Christ by converting them from Rep to Demo....or Dem to Rep. Or judge them on how and what laws of the land they choose to obey. SWEET little girl below!!! We have her saved on our desktop ;) Love ya bro.
Its exciting to know some of my brethren are worshiping with you in Perth, and I know the Zimbabweans there are hurting just as we are for their brethren still remaining in Zim. Lets see. We came to South Africa back in 1976 and except for a 10 year period to help our folks, we have been here until today. We have no plans for returning to the States for good at this time. We reared three little boys and they are now back in the States rearing their own little ones. As for what's going on around us, have a look at my entry list. Those indicated with ummm, I can't remember which ... ok, some are indicated as lessons for women, slideshows, special events, etc. Sorry, must be getting ol--younger!
Found your blog through some a friend's... a couple of entries back nobody offered up Raising Arizona as the source of the "angel come straight from heaven" quote.
Hi Deb Griffin here I stumbled onto this page Ed. Thank you for your thoughts. I have respect, but also fear of this man. I'm working on it and so glad that I've not discussed him in anger. My hubby has been preaching for almost 34 years and my greatest fear is knowing through listening to Obama speak in many speeches from 2006 on that he believes in the "Hate speech law" Feels that we need to protect he calls them "gay community" (I refuse to use any thing else that means goodness to describe this sin. I call them what they are, homosexual community) He says they need protection from the hate speech. My husband and other ministers would go to prison. People have reminded me that God also uses leaders to bring a country down. I pray that he will be a good president.
Thanks ed. I guess I figured once they were there people voted. Do you know if they have done any studies to see what percentage choose not to vote once they get to the polling place?
